Counting device



D Dn O L D IU.

Feh 2&9 3.939.

COUNTING DEVICE Ogriginal Filed Sept. 4, 1929 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 28, J. D. LORD COUNTING DEVICE l O rginal Filed Sept. 4, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 IHN" umu

Feb. 28, 1939. J, D. LORD COUNTING DEVICE Olriginal Filed Sept. 4, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENIOR www M ATTORNEY Patented signments, to Anchor Cap'& Closure Corporation, Long Island City, N. Y., a. corporation of New York Application september 4. me, serian. 390,263

Renewed August 5, 1938 13 Claim.

A. number ci articles, such es closure caps and' the like, are sold in. large cuentities, usuelle7 by the gross or by the thousand. The profit from such articles, due to keen competition, is relel0 tively small end, hence, it is ipractical to have laborers count articles the cost and becs-use ci likely to occur. Ordinary cannot be applied to the machines to register the number of caps 15 by the number o1! operations of the stamping or assembling machinececouse of the cost and because ci errors likely to occur. @rdinary counting mechanisms csnnct in spoiled to the machines to register the r cees by the zo number ci operations of. e stomping or assembling machine because o, number of articles may be rejected' by the inspector as they pass along the conveyor after having been delivered by the machine. In addition, the assembling ma- 2s chine, at times, runs idle due to the failure on the part of othee mechanisms supply caps or liners thereto. CrmroinU mechanisms cannot readily be applied directly the caps to weer-tain their number because the caps very in size and in height and, ordinarily, do not of nesting. The most common was ci? g Ming the quantity et the present time is to weigl `he een-s .allowing so many pounds to a gross and so meer pounds to a.

thousand. Such e method is, et cest, on approximation. The manufacturer, es e, precaution, adds extra cops to eech 'con to "ce sure of having l c omer.

rooms these the caps or dimculties by eccine fic .im-ticT chine.

. eens from the filled er words,

s provide articles rend because of.

Another object of the invention is to crc vcounting mechanism entomaticelly oper. n? deliver a predetermined number of srt e a'. shipping carton and thereafter to deliver articles to another carton.

Another object o! the invention ls to move the caps along the conveyor, prevent clogging thereof due to engagemen the counting mechanism or due to other gencies which may arise. A

A further object oi the invention is to construction having a minimum nuw rugged parts errengcd` to eliminate repair withstand the rough usage to which they may be subjected. i5

Other and further objects will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrated embodiment about to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various changes not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes o! illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings wherein,

Fig. 1 is a partial top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the' construction;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the mechanism shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a section along the line 2--3 of Fig. 1, illustrating details of the shifting mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View along the line 4--4 ci Fig. 1, illustrating details of the shitting mechamsm;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the counting mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a detailed elevational view, partly in. section, of the shitting mechanism, illustrating the mechanism in effective position'to intercept the caps and deliver them to o. shipping carton;

Fig.' 7 illustrates the positions of the parts when the deector isA in an intermediate position 3 and.

Fig.- 8 illustrates the mechanism with the delector in ineffective position. e5 n Enel form are usually delivered by a conveyor to s desirable storage box or shipping carton. A convenient form ol conveyor is illustrated as a of tine mechanism shown more particularly in 'Figs 1, 2 and 5, and maycomprise a. belt I passing over a substantially flat support 2 having upstanding guideways 4 at the edges thereof. Ari adjustable guide 5 may be provided to extend over a portion of the belt so that the effective width of the conveyor may be controlled to facilitate transfer of the caps.

The preferred embodiment `contemplates mounting on the conveyor a counting device 6 having an arm I with a roller 8 thereon adapted to engage each cap as it passes along the conveyor soY that the'arm 'I oscillates with the passg'of each cap. 'I'he arm 'I is shown pivoted to the stationary part of the conveyor at 3. A link 9 is pivotally connected at its respective ends to the center of the arm I and to an arm I on the counting device 6. The arm I carries a pawl II resting upon a ratchet I2 rigidly connected to a shaft I4. Each cap on the conveyor must pass between the roller 8 on the arm 'I and a roller I5 on the other side of the conveyor. The movement of the cap between these two rollers presses the arm l outwardly which moves the link 9, pawl II and ratchet wheel I2 to rotate the shaft I4 a predetermined amount upon thev pasaage of each cap. The shaft I4 is housed in a s'ieeve I6 and has mounted thereon a worm Il meshing with a gear I8. In this manner, the gear I8 is rotated a predetermined amount by means of the pawl and ratchet mechanism upon the passage of each cap along the conveyor. A more detailed description of the gear I8 and its associated mechanism for shifting the caps from one carton to another will be described hereinafter.

Due to the fact that closure caps and similar articles are made from thin metal, their weight is slight and any obstruction in the path of the caps will cause an entire line of caps to slip on the conveyor without moving forward; hence, an obstruction such as the rollers 8 and I5, associated with the counting device, will ordinarily interfere with the proper delivery of the caps. In order to avoid this, there is pivoted a rotatable member 23 which is here shown rotating in a vertical plane, although it will be clear that it might also rotate in a horizontal plane. rlhere are, projecting from the periphery of the member 23, a series of spokes or pins I9. These pins are adapted to engage the skirt of the cap, the cap being in inverted position, and pull it through the rollers 8 and. I5. A stationary cam 20 engages the heads of the pins I9 and holds them in position. As shown, the lower side of the cam is cut away so that the several pins on the lower part of the rotatable member 23 are free to move in a radial direction; hence, these pins, if they should not engage ya cap properly, will immediately be moved upward so that the particular pin does not mar the cap or other article in any way. 'Ihe next succeeding pin will engage the skirt properly and force it through. It will be understood that the pins are movable only in response to a force applied to the ends thereof and, hence, when the sides of the pins engage the caps, the caps are forced along the conveyor. Any pins which are forced radially inward upon engagement with the caps are pressed to their outward position as they move over the cam 26, as shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 5. The pins, when they reach the caps, are always in their extended position.

Any suitable means may be provided, for rotating continuously the member 23, as shown herein, it is associated with a gear 2| mounted on an arm 22 by means of a bolt 24. A second gear 25 member 23, with the protruding pins IS, is ro-` tated continuously by gears 2I, 25, shaft 26 and pulley 28. Y

It is not suncient that the mechanism merely count the number of caps because that would necessitate someone being present at the instant the proper number of caps had been delivered inv order to substitute a different carton; otherwise, the counting operation would be futile. The present mechanism eliminates this dilculty by providing a defiector 3| extending at an angle to the belt, as shown in Fig. 1, so that the caps moving on the belt are deflected as shown. By changing the position of the deector from that shown in Figs. 1 and 6 to that shown in Fig. 8, the caps will continue along the conveyor and be delivered at another point where an empty box may be positioned. In other words, the supply of caps to one box will be terminated by shifting the position of the deector 3|.

The mechanism for effecting this operation is shown more particularly in Figs. 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8. The deiiector 3l is suspended from a bracket 33 by means of a vertical pin or shaft 32, the upper end of which is in the form of substantial- 1y a circular disc 36. A pin 35 (Figs. 3 and 6 and 8) extending diametrically thrugh the disc 34, may be held in position by a cover 36. The pin 35 is slightly longer than the diameter of the disc 34. Suitable cam surfaces 3l are provided in a member 3S upon which the jaws 39 rest.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 6, 'I and 8, it will be noted that, when the deflector 3| is in the position shown in Fig. 6, one of the cam surfaces 3l forces the pin to project upon the opposite side of the disc 34 and, when the deector is moved into the position shown in Fig. 8, theend of the pin projecting outwardly engages the other cam surface 31 and is forced to project on the opposite side of the disc 34. A pair of jaws 39, pivoted at d6 and resiliently retained about the disc member 34 by means of a spring 4 I, have a pair of hooks 62 on the ends thereof. The joined ends of the jaws are attached by means of a smallbar 44, pin 45, and member 46 to a rod dl. The other end. of the rod 41 is pivotally connected to the end of a lever 48 (see Fig. 1) which in turn, is pivoted at 49 with a member 56 at its other end adapted to engage the periphery of a disc member 53 attached to the rotating gear I8 by means of suitable pins adjacent the center thereof. The gear I8 and disc member 56 rotate as a unit. The member 50 is resiliently retained against the surface of the member 53 by means of a leaf spring I. It will be observed that, if the rod 47 is moved upwardly in Fig. l, the hooks 42 on the jaws 39 will engage the pin 35 and rotate the dei-lector from the position shown in Fig. 6 to that shown in Fig. 8. When the deecter reaches that position, the cam surface 3l will have engaged the protruding end of the pin 35 and forced it inwardly to protrude on the other side of the disc member 34. The outer ends of the jaws are shaped so that when the rod l? is returned to its original position, one of the jaws will engage and slide over the pin to be in position to engage the pin when the rod is again moved in the same direction; whereupon, the deflector will be moved from the position shown in Fig. 8 back to that shown in Fig. 6, and the pin 35 will slide from the position shown in Fig. 8 to that shown in Fig. 6. In this manner, the cycle is repeated and the defiector 3i may be moved from one position to another by successive pulls in the same direction rod 41.

The means for effecting the operation of this mechanism and for changing the position of the rod 41 is shown more particularly in Fig. 1. The member 53 attached to gear I8 has a small depression or slot 54. been rotated by the passage o! the caps to a pointJ where the member 5U on the lever 48 registers with the slot 54 therein, the spring 5I pulls the rod 41 upwardly and operates the deilector 3|, as described hereinbefore. As the member 53 continues to rotate, the member 50 and lever 48 are moved back to their original position and the rod 41 is returned to its original position.

One or more notches 54 inthe periphery of the wheel 53 is sucient to operate the mechanism. In order, however, to decrease the size of the parts and to aiford greater flexibility, it is desirable that the deilector operate only after the member 53 has made several revolutions. For example, if one revolution of the member 53 designates five hundred caps, it would be desirable that the member 53 make about ten or twelve revolutions to deliver about five or six thousand caps to the carton in accordance with present practice.

There is provided on the rotatable member 53 a second rotatable member 56 attached thereto by bolt 51 and adapted to rotate with and independently of the member 53. This member 56 likewise has a notch or slot 55 corresponding to the slot 54 in the memb-er 53. A series of pins 58 are inserted in the upper surface of the member 56 for engagement with co-operatin-g devices 59 for rotation thereof. Such co-operating means may be one or more in number, here shown as two, and may be positioned adjacent the periphery of the member 53. As shown herein, the devices 59 are attached to the stationary part of the fra-me and have a member 60, adjustable in lposition by means of the screw 5I which may one of the projections or pns 58 in the upper surface of the member 56, the member 56 is rotated the distance of one pin while passing each of the members 59, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. If only one of the members 59 are adjusted for effective operation, then the wheel 53 has to rotate ten times in order for the wheel 56 to rotate once. The wheel 56v is so positioned that, normally, it covers the slot 54 in the member 53; hence, the lever 48 and member 50 do not drop into the slot 54 untl the slots 54 and 55 register. By utilizing two or more of the members 59 for rotating the member 58, the number of caps may be increased or decreased in the respective cartons to which they are being delivered. It will be understood also that the member 56may be quickly changed, if desired, and another member with a diierent number oi' pins substituted to deliver the proper number of caps.

In the operation of the device, the mechanism may be attached to the ordinary conveyor by attaching the counting mechanism thereto and properly positioning the arm 1 thereof. The caps, as they pass the\counter, are forced between the rollers I5 and 8 by means of the rotating member 23 and the pins i9 which engage the respective caps as they present themselves.

on the.

When the member 53 has The rotatable member 23 yis continuously/'driven by means of gears; 2I,i2'5, shaft 26 and pulley 28. The member 1 oscillates the arm iii by means of the link 9 which, in turn, operates the pawl and ratchet mechanism II and I2 to rotate the shaft I4, Worm I1, gear I8 and rotatable member 53. The rotation of the member 53 presents one of the pins 58 on the disc 56 mount-s ed on the rotatable member 53 to the stationary projection 60 on the mechanism 59 to rotate the member 56 a predetermined amount upon each rotation of the member 53. When the member 56 has made a complete revolution, the slot 55 therein registers with the slot 54 in the member 53 so that the lever 48 is operated by means of the member'SIl thereon dropping into the slot or dwell in the member 53. This pulls the rod 41 which causes the jaws 39 to engage alternately one end of the pin 35 and then the other, to oscillate the deector 3I from the posi tion shown in Fig. 6 to that shown in Fig. 3 and back' to the position shown in Fig. 6. The cam surfaces 31 are eiective to move the pin upon each oscillation of the member 3l so that the alternate jaw members 39 engage it on successive operations of the levers' 41 and 48. In this manner, after a predetermined number of caps are delivered to a carton or container, the defiector 3| is oscillated so that the caps are diverted to another carton, permitting the operator to remove the filled carton at his leisure. v

It will be seen that the present invention pro vides a counting mechanism which may be readily attached to existing machines for counting closure caps or other articles. The device operates effectively upon articles movable on a conveyor. The mechanism may be readily adjusted to accommodate changes in the size or height of the articles to be operated upon. The device is simple in construction, easy to operate and made from a minimum number of rugged parts. There are no delicately operated parts requiring frequent adjustment.

As various changes may be made in the form, arrangement and construction of the various parts Without departing from the spirit of the invention, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a conveyor moving in a substantially lineal direction for delivering closure caps in inverted position, a counting mechanism, and means mounted above the conveyor for engaging the inner side of each cap for forcing it into operative relation with said counting mechanism while moving forward upon said conveyor.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a horizontal conveyor for delivering articles having an upwardly extending portion, a counting mechanism, and rotatable means having members projecting therefrom for engaging the upwardly extending portion of each article and forcing the articles forward along said delivery means into operative relaton with said counting mechanism.

3. In a device of the class described. the combination of a horizontal member adapted to support and deliver articles, a counting mechanism, and rotatable means having members projecting `therefrom for engaging and forcing the art'cles in the plane in which said delivery means are moving and into operative relation with said asl counting mechanism, said members being movable substantially radially of said rotatable member so that, upon improper engagement with said articles, said members move inwardly with- 5 out marring the articles.

4. In a device of the class described, the com- 3W-able radially of said member upon engagement with a cap, and a cam for forcing said pins into f:their outer position prior to their engagement with caps. V r 6. In a device of the class described, the com= 2" bination of means for forcing closure caps along a guidew'ay, said means comprising a rotatable member, means for rotating said member, a plurality of membersprojecting from said ror"*t'atable member and radially movable with respect thereto, and means for forcing said members into their outer position prior to engagement -'with the caps. l

7. In a device of the class described, the com- 35. bination of means adapted to be actuated by a closure cap passing along a guideway, a rotatable member, devices responsive to said means for rotating said member -a predetermined amount upon the passage of each cap, va second rotatable member-,mounted upon and positioned eccentrically with respect to said rst member, and means for rotating said second rotatable member for each complete revolution of said rst rotatable member.

8.(In a counting device, the combination of a rotatable member, means for rotating said memn ber a predetermined amount upon the delivery of each successive article such as a closure cap, a second rotatable member pivoted upon and adjacent to the periphery of said first rotatable member, and means for rotating said second rotatable member a predetermined amount for each revolution of said iirst rotatable member.

9. In a device of the class described, the com bination of a rotatable member having a recess therein, means for rotating said rotatable mern= ber a predetermined amount upon the delivery of each successive cap, a second rotatable mem-` isf ber mounted on said rst member having av substantially smaller circumference and having a recess therein, means for rotating said second rotatable member a predetermined amount for each revolution of said rst rotatable member to bring the recesses in said rotatable member into registry upon the delivery of a predetermined number of caps.

10. In adevice of the class described, the combination of a. rotatable member, devices for rotating said member a predetermined amount upon the delivery of successive larticles to be counted, a second rotatable member associated with said first rotatable member, a plurality of devices Vfor engaging'said second rotatable member to rotate said second rotatable member a rotatable member having a plurality of radially.

aicaeca predetermined amount upon each revolution of said rst rotatable member, and means for rendering certain of said devices inedective to change the rate of rotation of said second rotatable member.

1l.. In a device or thel class described, the combination of a rotatable member, devices adapted to eect rotation of said member a predetermined amount upon delivery of successive caps, a second rotatable member mounted eccentrlcally upon said rst member and adapted to be advanced once during each revolution of said rst rotatable member, said rotatable members each having a recess in their peripheries adapted to register when a predetermined number of caps have been delivered.

12. In a device of the class described, the com bination of a plurality of rotatable members each having a recess in the periphery thereof, one of said members being of smaller diameter and mounted eccentrically with respect to the other member so that the recesses will register at a point common to the circumference of both mem= bers, means for rotating said members in multiple relation while caps are being counted, and means adapted to co-operate with the recesses in said members when they have registered with each other. v

13. AIn a device of the class described, the'com-D bination of a belt conveyor for delivering closure caps and the like, an arm extending partially across said conveyor having a roller thereon for engagement with the sides of successive caps, a counting device operatively connected to said arm for registering the number of oscillations thereof, and means for engaging the articles individually and forcing them into operative relation with said roller on said arm to operate said counting device.

ld. In a device of the class described, the combination of a belt conveyor for delivering closure caps and the like, guide members on the sides of said conveyor, an arm extending partially across said'conveyor, a counting device operatively con nected to said arm. for registering the number or oscillations thereof, a roller on one of said guide members opposite said arm to direct the caps towards said arm to effect the oscillation thereof, and means for engaging the inner sides of the caps and for positively moving them forward along said conveyor past said extending arm.

15. In a device of the class described, a counting mechanism comprising a rotatable member having a recess therein, a 'second rotatable mem ber mounted eccentrically on said first member, having a recess adapted to register with thel recess in said irst member, and means adapted to engage said recess when in a predetermined position once during every revolution of said second member.

i6. In a device of the class described, the com binationof a rotatable member having a recess in the periphery thereof, means for rotating said .member in response to a cap delivered to said device, a recond rotatable member of smaller diameter than said rst member having a portion of its periphery above the vrecess in said rst` member, said second member having a recess in the periphery thereof, and means for rotating said second member in the opposite direction from said first member, whereby said recesses `will register once during each revolution of said second member when the latter is rotated.

y each cap delivered, and means for rotating the other of said members a predetermined amount for each revolution o! said rst member so that a recess in one of said rotatable members may register with a recess in the other when a predetermined number of caps have been delivered to said counting mechanism.

18. In a device of the class described, the combination of a conveyor moving in a lineal plane for delivering closure caps or similar articles having skirts, said caps being placed on said conveyor in inverted position so that the skirts extend upwardly, a counting mechanism, and means above said conveyor rotating in a substantially vertical plane having a plurality of radially extending projections adapted to extend into the caps to eng'age the inner side of the skirt of each cap individually and force the caps individually along said conveyor into operative relation with said counting mechanism.

. JOHN D. LORD. 

